NG JER VAIN
DESIGN COMMUNICATION
This module introduces fundamental skills for the appropriate communication of architectural design. It engages different means of visualization and expression of space and spatial ideas through architectural drawings and modelling to prepare students with the skills required in Design projects. These skills are taught through a series of freehand, constructed drawing, and architectural modelling held both outdoors and in the studio.
Project 1 : On-site sketching & Tonal Values
A first-hand conscious experience is important in the understanding and articulation of space. This assessment introduced students to visualization and expression of space through on-site sketching activity on campus. Students are required to develop their skills in creating depth and tone in a sketch, and thus refining and enhancing the ability to produce an architectural sketch that is legible.
The objectives of this project are as follows:
To understand the notion of space in architecture.
To develop skills in visualizing of space through observation and perception of a given site
To develop skills in sketching as a mode of communication.
To understand the notion detailing’s in architecture and objects.
To develop skills in communicating the above in various tonal and depth values.
To develop various techniques of hatching through different medium.
REFLECTION :
I have learnt the basic sketching skills in this project. For instance, how to express tonal values and depth through hatching and shading.
Project 2A: Orthographic projections- plans, sections, elevations
For this project, we were to utilize the given images of a furniture (for Part 1) and a building (for Part 2) to be drawn up. By using the skills demonstrated and explained in the workshops draw up the following required orthographic drawings. The furniture chosen is a drafting table in our architecture studio while the building chosen is Cooper Residence by Charles Gwathmey.
Expected learning outcomes for this project are as below:
1. Demonstrate drafting skills in modern and traditional methods of architectural drawing.
2. Record and present clear and legible architectural information manually.
3. Identify and apply architectural conventions and symbols.
4. Demonstrate in pencil and ink examples of:
line types
line weights
line quality
hand lettering
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REFLECTION :
As this is my first orthographic drawing, one of the difficulty to complete this task is the usage of technical pen. Therefore, project 2 is divided into two parts where the first part is for us to get our first hand on technical pens drawing. I have learnt to overcome this difficulty by giving it a few tries and never give up. I have also learnt to translate a real life subject to technical drawings to the scale 1:100.
Project 2B: Axonometric projection
For this project, we learn how to execute an axonometric projection by generating p an exploded axonometric of the house. These projections are to be generated at a scale of 1:100 on butter paper (for construction) and finally inked on A1-sized tracing paper.
Expected learning outcomes for this project:
1. Ability to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in three-dimension, in the format of an axonometric projection.
2. Understanding of what axonometric projections are, how to generate them and how to apply them to the design process and presentation.
3. Ability to produce legible architectural drawings.
REFLECTION :
Compared to the previous projects, this project is much more challenging as we will have to produce an axonometric drawing. Even though there are still some mistakes in my final drawings, I have had the ability to handle the drawing and complete the task myself.
Project 2C: Perspectives
This assessment introduces perspective as a mode of communication in architecture. We are required to construct firstly, one exterior (two-point) perspective followed by one sectional interior perspective (onepoint). In constructing both these perspectives, we have to demonstrate the ability to express spatial idea in 3-D form, understanding of 2-D and 3-D relationships in architectural graphics, skills in drawing and composition, creativity and complexity of drawing.
Expected learning outcomes for the project:
1. Ability to express spatial ideas and architectural detail in three-dimension, in the format of onepoint and two-point perspectives.
2. Understanding of what perspectives (and its different types) are, how to generate them and how to apply them to the design process and presentation.
3. Ability to produce legible architectural drawings with strong creative intent.
REFLECTION :
We have to use our previous drawings to complete this assignment. I have learnt that I should always keep my assignment in place rather than scattered around in order to be able to find them when i need to. I have also used the sketching techniques i have obtained from the first project to express the depth in my perspective drawings.
Project 3: Final assignment
For this assignment, it is intergrated with our studio final project. We have to produce plans, elevation, section and axonometric or perspective drawings for our dreamspace,
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REFLECTION :
I have applied what i have learnt from the first two projects into this assignment, that is to produce orthographic drawings for building models. I have understood the way to express my ideas through drawings.